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Earlier in the month I visited the UK Help for Ukraine unit at Castle Quay in Banbury where I met the team of volunteers working from there. We discussed everything from how they are supporting Ukrainians living here locally to how they are transporting much-need supplies to the Ukrainian border.
The team are currently in need of medical supplies, toiletries, generators and tools. If you can spare any of these items, then please donate them to the centre.
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National Apprenticeship Week Roundtable
Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for young people to kick-start their careers. They also have a really positive impact on businesses and the wider economy.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week this year, I was pleased to join a roundtable hosted by Jacob Douwe Egberts and the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership in Banbury. It was good to hear from local business leaders and apprentices about their experiences. We discussed everything from the important role local businesses play in creating jobs and upskilling people to how apprentices can be supported in the long term.
I really would encourage all those considering their next steps to think about an apprenticeship.
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Cherwell Democracy Challenge Winners Welcomed to Parliament
I welcomed the winning team of my Cherwell Democracy Challenge to Parliament this month.
The team from The Warriner School received a tour of the Palace before sitting down with me for a discussion. It was great to answer questions about my role as an MP as well as hearing their thoughts on how we can boost political engagement in younger people.
I hope the students got a lot from their visit.
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Bloxham Nursery & Chequer Tree Tearoom
At the beginning of the month I visited the Bloxham Nursery & Chequer Tree Tearoom to see their new café which has a lovely selection of cakes!
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Great British Spring Clean
Ever since I was first elected in 2015, I have been proud to champion the Great British Spring Clean – an annual event organised by Keep Britain Tidy. Now in its eighth year, it is the country’s largest mass-action clean-up campaign.
Returning from 17 March to 2 April this year, I hope as many people as possible can be encouraged to take part. Collecting even just one bag of litter can make a really big difference. To find out more and to get involved click here.
I look forward to doing my bit in the constituency.
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Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan
Our urgent and emergency care is facing some enormous challenges which is why the Prime Minister has published an ambitious and credible plan to help fix it. Developed in conjunction with NHS England, this new two-year delivery plan will boost frontline capacity with 800 new ambulances and 5,000 more sustainable hospital beds.
Backed by a £1 billion dedicated fund, this blueprint for urgent and emergency care will help to reduce waiting times and improve patient experience. Read more on this announcement here.
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Household Support Fund Extended
It is good to see that the Household Support Fund has been extended for another year, with Oxfordshire set to receive £6.7 million. This additional funding will go a long way in supporting families most in need.
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Violence Against Woman and Girls
I welcome the raft of new measures being introduced by the Home Secretary to tackle violence against women and girls. No woman or girl should ever have to feel unsafe in her home or community.
Find out more about this announcement here.
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Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Oxfordshire will benefit from nearly £2 million worth of funding to improve drug and alcohol treatment over the next two years, as part of a nationwide effort to combat misuse and tackle crime.
You can read more on this announcement here.
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From May, you will need to show photo ID to vote. You can find out more about accepted forms of photo ID, how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate and what to expect on polling day on the Electoral Commission’s website here.
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Protecting English Football
Football is part of our heritage which is why I am pleased by the announcement this week to safeguard its future. For the first time, a new independent regulator will be established to oversee the financial sustainability of the game.
It is clear that greater protection of the grassroots core of the sport is needed, and following the fan-lead review, the Government is setting out measures to ensure this. I know that this will be welcome news for football fans across the country. You can read more on the announcement here.
In North Oxfordshire, we are proud to have Banbury United F.C. as our local club. I have enjoyed visiting the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium on a number of occasions and it is obvious how much the club means to our community. These bold new plans will ensure that local clubs up and down the country like Banbury United remain protected.
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I appeared before the Justice Select Committee this week in my role as Attorney General. I spoke about my priorities including the UK commitment to securing justice for Ukraine.
I also highlighted the important work of the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office and Government Legal Department.
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Attorney General's Questions
It was good to take questions on a range of issues from colleagues across the House at Attorney General’s Questions this month.
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Ukrainian Judicial Delegation
Earlier this month I met the President of the Ukrainian Supreme Court and judges to hear about the judicial response to the war crime trials being brought in Ukraine's courts following Russia's invasion.
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CPS Yorkshire and Humberside
Thank you to Crown Prosecution Service and Government Legal Department colleagues at Yorkshire and Humberside for hosting me earlier in the month. It was brilliant to hear more about the fantastic work going on here. I look forward to working closely with the teams throughout the year.
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For more information about anything you have read in this newsletter or to find out more about my work, please visit: www.victoriaprentis.com
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